Until now, this ride has been loosely termed the "vets " ride, however the "veteran" term has now been removed from the club name, so what do we call the ride now? Who Cares!If you know that it leaves the carpark at the rear of Richmond Bakery at 9.0000000am every Wednesday, and that it is governed by a benevolent dictator called D..... (and sometimes other words)) , and that it covers about 60km, finishing back at the bakery for coffee, you have all you need. The pace is what you would expect from a bunch of older riders with egos in excellent condition.The chat over coffee is always imaginative, and today a suggestion was made that the ride should have an internet site.That is B.S.Why pay for something you can Steal?BNA _Australian Cycling Forums is all we need, it is free, and you get to add your own ridiculous opinions whenever you wish.

Lets go:-Todays ride , with 10 riders, was a "get even with Eric" event . Eric has been in superb form of late, carving the field into small pieces with long TT efforts, and securing several unpopular victories. "This is not a race".Any time the reader has someone reach Richmond ahead of him/her, read "unpopular" into the result!Today was a clean sweep by the boss (D). First up Cole hill going out, first up Cole Hill coming home, first over the first line into Richmond, first over the second line into Richmond. These are not finishing lines, or any other type of lines, as "this is not a race".

Next weeks ride:-the only certainty is that it will start at 9.00am. Hilarity erupts when bikes on cars are seen arriving in town at 9.01am. missed the start

Apart from chains being driven by egonomics, the thing I find most collegial in our Wednesday "outings" (remember: It's not a race!) is the manner in which we look after those who have been absent through injury or holidays or other commitments. The gentle and thoughtful way in which such a rider is eased back into the fold has to be seen to be believed, eg: struggle to get back to the tail of the train only to have the pace immediately upped! I love it.Brian (aka Lizard Breath)

From expereince.....it tells me....that those of you who are retired or semi retired....hell anyone 10 years older than me are usually faster than me.......

On a serious question though do you wait at the turn around point over Cole Hill or continue to smash people? Because if it's the latter......I dont mind rubbing hande bars, riding past and grabbing brakes, changing their gears......pushing them into the dirt......that will all slow them down

RobRollin wrote:From expereince.....it tells me....that those of you who are retired or semi retired....hell anyone 10 years older than me are usually faster than me.......

On a serious question though do you wait at the turn around point over Cole Hill or continue to smash people? Because if it's the latter......I dont mind rubbing hande bars, riding past and grabbing brakes, changing their gears......pushing them into the dirt......that will all slow them down

OK Rob, I can point you in the right direction; grab Dales' wheel and remember the wednesday finishing line is the speed restriction signs right at the football ground, not the line used by STCC. In the unlikely event that I am in front anywhere within 3 kms of Richmond, the finishing line will be declared by me to be amended to that point at which I am in front.Are you getting the general idea of how serious this Wednesday ride is?In keeping with Wednesday tradition, at least 50% of anything you hear will be BS. Same with this post. The true part is Dales wheel.

People in Richmond had their dogs on heavy duty chains today, such was the windy conditions. Ten riders set out on a course rarely used on the Wednesday Ride, in order to minimise wind discomfort. Richmond toward Grasstree, right into Back Tea Tree, right into Tea Tree rd, over Water Tank Hill, right toward Richmond, left into Finger Post, south down the Tasman Hwy, right into Brinktop rd, and a strong headwind up and over Brink Top, back to Richmond Bakery, where more hot air was expelled.Not much to report. Did I mention the wind??Some of mankinds problems solved over coffee; resolved to bring typists whitout next week to get the "V" out of STVCC on some riders kits. Gotta get withit!Not sure what causes the most pain on this ride ??&^%$&^% Eric, or the wind!Rob Cumine brought his sprinters legs out today, but unfortunately the Brinktop entry into Richmond was not conducive to a sprint finish.Its on again next wednesday.

Methinks Master6 is being a bit quiet on his achievements and that IF the Wednesday Gentlemens' Ride was a race he would have the bragging rights. Best that I set a different course next week - perhaps more suited to young in-training track riders?

I may need to rest and come back at 100% I think between a cold and training I am toast.

Also running a 24 on the rear up Brinktop was hard bloody work much prefer my 25 or 27 for Brinktop. Let me know in future so I can bring a range of wheels to suit the conditions and course.

Our fearless leader showed great leadership qualities going back down Brinktop to pick up the last rider, oh wait....Nigel got shelled from the peloton. He also showed strength by starting a team time trial past the tea tree turn off.

"gran fondo" bad language is not usually a feature of the ride Rob. I dont know of any Richmondians doing it.

I have to confess to having consulted Google to discover the meaning of gran fondo. Very interesting. When we were kids at school we gave our Italian classmates a fair bit of stick, I regret. In return Italy gave us some great cyclists to entertain us during the summer track season at Olympic Park board track in Melbourne, they gave us Campagnolo (well we looked and admired, but could not afford it. Zeus copies had to do!)in the late 60's/early 70's they gave us pizza Now we have "gran fondo". It seems that this new industry that manufactures cycling activities is about to really take off.

See you on Wednesday.The question you should be asking is "Will Eric be back this week?".

Doesnt matter if Eric the Viking will be back, I shall not be competing for any KOM or Sprint points this Wednesday.

A Sergeant-at-Arms (sometimes spelled Serjeant-at-Arms) is an officer appointed by a deliberative body, usually a legislature, to keep order during its meetings. The word sergeant is derived from the Latin serviens, which means "servant". (according to wiki)

I was once the Sgt at Arms in an organisation Rob, however, unlike the wiki definition above, I understood that my role was to put crap on people, and extract money from them. I enjoyed the role!

What is the reasoning behind this "half way" thing? What's wrong with "all the way"? You are a "last start winner", so share your secrets with us please.

master6 wrote:I was once the Sgt at Arms in an organisation Rob, however, unlike the wiki definition above, I understood that my role was to put crap on people, and extract money from them. I enjoyed the role!

What is the reasoning behind this "half way" thing? What's wrong with "all the way"? You are a "last start winner", so share your secrets with us please.

I would like to know more about your ....role.....Master6.......seems similar to that on a wednesday ride?

Half way.........I don't wish to hurt my legs trying to keep up with the lightweights up Cole Hill.

You have to be patched into the "hurt box" club before I can tell you anything about it's secrets

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